Tag: shower curtain

Shower Curtains: Everything You Need To Know About Them

Besides providing privacy while you take a shower and preventing water from splashing outside the shower area, shower curtains can also act as decorative items, especially since they come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors. With that in mind, here is some information about shower curtains:

A Shower curtain

Curtain Materials

Synthetic

Some of the popular synthetic materials used to manufacture bathroom curtains include polyester, vinyl, PVC, nylon, and polypropylene. It is worth noting that curtains made using synthetic materials have several advantages. To start with, they are moisture resistant. Secondly, they do not develop mold or mildew easily. Thirdly, they generally require little maintenance. Fourthly, they are cheap. On the flip side, one of the major drawbacks associated with these curtains is their unauthentic look. However, synthetic shower curtains are a good choice if you are not looking for an aesthetically appealing product.

Natural Fabrics

If you are looking for shower curtains that will give your bathroom an authentic look, go for curtains made from natural fibers such as cotton, silk, satin, or linen. However, curtains made using natural fibers tend to be expensive. In addition, they are not as water, mildew, stain, and mold resistant as synthetic shower curtains. Thankfully, you can improve their resistance to these elements by pairing them with water resistant liners. As a tip, you should wash and air these types of shower curtains regularly to get rid of odor causing bacteria and fungi.

Hemp Fiber Curtains

Some shower curtains are made from hemp fiber. Unlike curtains made with cotton or linen, hemp fiber curtains are bacteria and fungi resistant. Moreover, they tend to remain fresh and clean for longer in comparison to curtains made using natural fibers.

Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Shower Curtain

Some of the important factors to consider when shopping for a shower curtain include:

Functionality

The primary function of a shower curtain is to provide privacy to the person taking a shower. With this in mind, go for a curtain that satisfies this requirement. Besides providing privacy, it should also match your bathroom’s décor. If you opt for a curtain that requires a liner, go for liners with weights or magnets at the bottom to keep them in place. It is worth noting that there are shower curtain liners on the market with antibacterial coatings. If you share your bathroom with several people, such a liner will come in handy.

Maintainability

If you are a busy executive, stay at home mom, or a businessperson, you should buy a bathroom curtain that requires little or no maintenance. Of course, this would mean a synthetic curtain. The problem with curtains made from natural fibers is they require regular cleaning. Furthermore, a natural fiber curtain that is constantly pushed to one side will likely develop folds that could harbor mold or mildew.

Quality

In addition to choosing a high-quality fabric, you should carefully examine the stitching as well as the grommets that reinforce the holes where shower rod rings hang. The stitching should not only be top-quality, but also follow a well-defined pattern. If the edges of the curtain you intend to buy show signs of fraying, you should reconsider your decision because it is unlikely to last long. At this point, it is worth noting that some bathroom curtains come with buttons and fabric loops instead of grommets. The problem with buttons and fabric loops is they are not as durable as grommets. Nevertheless, it is up to you to choose and purchase a curtain that will best suit your needs.

Cost

While a typical shower curtain costs anything from $20 to $100, you can expect to pay upwards of $100 for a high-end curtain. Some of the factors that determine the cost price include the quality of material, size, and custom add-ons one may request. Before buying a bathroom curtain, shop around and compare prices offered online as well as brick-and-mortar store retailers. At the end of the day, you should definitely come across one that fits your budget and style.

If you have a shower in your home, you likely have a shower curtain hanging around it from a shower curtain rod. By definition, a shower curtain rod is a device used to suspend curtains along the edge of a shower. Such a rod can be made of materials such as plastic, steel, aluminum, or wood. In addition, shower curtain rods come in a wide range of styles, thickness, colors, and shapes. You can buy these rods from local stores or e-commerce sites.

A Shower Curtain Rod

Types of Shower Curtain Rods

Curtain rods are generally classified based on their shape. The common types of rods available on the market today include:

Curved Shower Curtain Rod

A curved or crescent curtain rod is ideal if you want to add more standing/elbow room to your shower. In fact, many hotels have installed curved rods in showers because space tends to be a problem especially in places where budget travelers congregate. You, too, can use it at home to make your shower area look roomier without necessarily carrying out expensive bathroom renovation/remodeling. Another benefit is a curved shower curtain rod keeps the shower curtain from blowing in and sticking to your body as you shower.

A Curved Shower Curtain Rod

Straight Shower Curtain Rod

This is arguably the most popular type of shower curtain rod mainly because it is ideal for large bathrooms. What’s more, this type of shower curtain rod is relatively easy to use because it typically comes with mounting brackets.

A Straight Shower Curtain Rod

L-shaped Shower Curtain Rod

An L-shaped or corner shower curtain rod often has one side that is shorter than the other. The L-shape makes it relatively easier to mount on two perpendicular walls. However, an L-shaped shower curtain rod typically requires ceiling supports to keep them from sagging. In fact, some of these units come with ceiling support rods. Even if the L-shaped rod you have bought does not have one, you can purchase a support rod separately. However, it is worth noting that a support rod tends to impede the shower curtain rings that go around the top. You can easily solve this problem is by using two shower curtains.

L-Shaped Shower Curtain Rod

Double Curved Shower Curtain Rod

A double curved shower curtain rod is simply a variation of the curved rod. It comes with a second parallel rod for hanging a separate curtain liner, towels, or clothes. If you want to create a stylish and elegant look in your bathroom, go for this type of shower curtain rod. It is worth noting that an L-shaped shower curtain rod comes in handy if your shower area is wedged in between two non-perpendicular walls. Depending on the distance from one wall to the next, a ceiling support rod may or may not be necessary.

Double Curved Shower Curtain Rod

U-shaped Shower Curtain Rod

Unlike the shower curtain rods described above, a U-shaped rod allows one to mount it on the same wall surface. Moreover, it would allow you to have space on the left and right hand sides of the shower area. Once again, this type of shower curtain rod will require a ceiling support rod to prevent it from sagging. Avoid this type of shower curtain rod if space in your bathroom is an issue.

U-Shaped Shower Curtain Rod

Shower Curtain Rod Buying Tips

While price is important to consider when buying a shower curtain rod, you should contemplate other factors as well. Your goal should be to achieve a good balance of quality, cost, and personal preference. More importantly, you should choose a shower curtain rod that suits your shower curtain. For instance, if you have a hookless shower curtain, then you would need a shower curtain rod with holes. Additionally, you should also choose a shower curtain rod that comes with everything required to mount it on a wall as well as hang curtains. This includes wall brackets, hooks and rollers, screws, and flanges.